Reworking Protocols in the Ophthalmology Department during the COVID-19 Crisis

AbstractEye care professionals are susceptible to contract COVID-19 infection due to the presence of the virus in tears and conjunctival secretions and, also, partly due to the proximity required during ophthalmic examination. Although infrequent, ocular features include conjunctivitis (predominant), chemosis, follicles, itching, dry eye, and tearing. In this article, we have outlined salient safety recommendations at outpatient, inpatient and operation theater level for both patients as well as health care workers. Some of them being, creation of special triage areas at ophthalmology clinic for the screening of patients, things to be avoided at each level, procedures to manage appointments, examination room modifications, operation theater protocols, a suggestion for prioritizing cases, and finally airflow and hospital staff management. These suggestions, along with local hospital-specific modifications, will help us to go a long way in the battle against COVID-19.

Download Full-text

Evaluation of facemask associated acne/ “Maskne” among health care workers and non-health care workers of India during COVID-19 pandemic-A cross-sectional study

IP Indian Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dermatology ◽

10.18231/j.ijced.2021.046 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 243-248

Author(s):

Krina B Patel ◽

Savfeena M. Nagani ◽

Aanal T. Patel ◽

Nirav Bapat

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Face Mask ◽

Hospital Staff ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Care Workers ◽

Front Line Workers

“MASK-NE”-Mask associated Acne, is a common form of acne during COVID-19 pandemic. It is type of acne mechanica seen when external factor occludes the skin, leads to irritation, inflammation and starts/aggravates all grades of acne.We conducted a cross-sectional study among 773 participants, using a Self-administered, aim oriented, questionnaire which includes demographic data, acne related history, type and duration of wearing mask & other mask related skin problems in COVID-19 pandemic during 15 October to 15December,2020.: Among 773 participants, age ranged 18-45 years with mean 30.69 (SD: 61.30) and M:F was 1:1.78. After starting of Pandemic, occurrence of new development of mask associated Acne/ Maskne was higher among Health Care Workers (HCW) (34.98%) as compared to non- Health Care Workers (non-HCWs) (17.36%). Moreover, more number of HCWs had aggravation of their pre-existing acne and/or development of new of acne during pandemic (81.2%) than non-HCWs (61%). Wearing N95 type of mask showed the highest aggravation (82%) of Maskne as compare to wearing Surgical mask (75.5%) and wearing cloth (cotton) mask (65.6%).Wearing a face mask for 4 to 8 hours/day and >8 hours/day showed increase in the aggravation of Maskne as compared to wearing a facemask <4 hrs/day.Though wearing face masks can be the best strategy against COVID-19 infection, HAZARD OF THIS SAFETY is not negligible especially in front-line workers-doctors, nurses, pharmacist, policemen, hospital staff who are at higher risk due to several factors including type of mask use, duration of mask use etc.

Download Full-text

Stressors and Coping Strategies During the Outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Among Hospital Staff: A Case Study in Iran

Quarterly of Horizon of Medical Sciences ◽

10.32598/hms.27.2.3289.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 27 (2) ◽

pp. 148-163

Author(s):

Fatemeh Mohammadzadeh ◽

◽

Ali Delshad Noghabi ◽

Javad Bazeli ◽

Hamidreza Karimi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Stress Intensity ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Coping Styles ◽

Hospital Staff ◽

Maladaptive Coping ◽

Care Workers ◽

High Level ◽

And Coping ◽

Sports Activities

Aims: The emergence of COVID-19 disease has created significant stress and anxiety for health care workers. This study aimed to investigate the stressors and coping strategies in the staff of Allameh Bohlool Hospital in Gonabad City, Iran, during the outbreak of the COVID-19 disease. Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional study was performed on 252 employees of Allameh Bohlool Hospital in Gonabad from March 2020 to April 2020. Study tools included a brief form of coping styles (Brief-COPE) and a researcher-made questionnaire of stressors due to the emergence of COVID-19 among health care workers. The obtained data were analyzed using linear regression and ordinal regression models at the significance level of 0.05. Findings: About 74.2%, 69.4%, 52.7%, 52.7%, and 99.2% of the hospital staff had moderate to high stress in the domains of internal, family-social, workplace-related, infection control, and government measures, respectively. The degree of using adaptive and maladaptive coping styles used by staff were 52.0% and 23.8% at the moderate to the high level, respectively. Maladaptive coping styles had a positive and significant relationship with stress intensity so that for each unit increase in maladaptive coping score, the odds of experiencing higher levels of stress increased 1.24 to 1.45 times (P<0.001). Also, the odds of experiencing higher levels of stress in those who had sports activities was 24% to 76% lower (P=0.003). Conclusion: The findings of the present study indicated a high level of stress among hospital staff. Also, the use of maladaptive coping styles and sports activities had a significant positive and negative relationship with stress intensity, respectively. Therefore, designing effective interventions focusing on reducing maladaptive coping patterns among hospital staff and encouraging people to engage in sports activities can help manage stress as much as possible due to the outbreak of COVID-19 disease.

Download Full-text

Attitudes towards preventive tuberculosis treatment among hospital staff

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.1738 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

pp. e1738 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Vidya Pathak ◽

Zinta Harrington ◽

Claudia C. Dobler

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Significant Proportion ◽

Hospital Staff ◽

Test Results ◽

Tb Treatment ◽

Care Workers ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Latent Tb

Background.Healthcare workers have an increased risk of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), but previous studies suggested that they might be reluctant to accept preventive tuberculosis (TB) treatment. We aimed to examine doctors’ and nurses’ experience of TB screening and to explore their attitudes towards preventive TB treatment.Methods.We conducted a survey among randomly selected healthcare workers at a tertiary hospital in Sydney, Australia, using a paper-based questionnaire.Results.A total of 1,304 questionnaires were distributed and 311 (24%) responses were received. The majority of hospital staff supported preventive TB treatment in health care workers with evidence of latent TB infection (LTBI) in general (74%, 164/223) and for them personally (81%, 198/244) while 80 and 53 healthcare workers respectively had no opinion on the topic. Staff working in respiratory medicine were significantly less likely to support preventive TB treatment in health care workers in general or for them personally if they would have evidence of LTBI compared to other specialties (p= 0.001). Only 13% (14/106) of respondents with evidence of LTBI indicated that they had been offered preventive TB treatment. Twenty-one percent (64/306) of respondents indicated that they did not know the difference between active and latent TB. Among staff who had undergone testing for LTBI, only 33% (75/230) felt adequately informed about the meaning of their test results.Discussion.Hospital staff in general had positive attitudes towards preventive TB treatment, but actual treatment rates were low and perceived knowledge about LTBI was insufficient among a significant proportion of staff. The gap between high support for preventive TB treatment among staff and low treatment rates needs to be addressed. Better education on the concept of LTBI and the meaning of screening test results is required.

Download Full-text

Transmission of Pneumocystis carinii DNA from a Patient with P. carinii Pneumonia to Immunocompetent Contact Health Care Workers

Journal of Clinical Microbiology ◽

10.1128/jcm.38.4.1536-1538.2000 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 38 (4) ◽

pp. 1536-1538 ◽

Cited By ~ 87

Author(s):

Sergio L. Vargas ◽

Carolina A. Ponce ◽

Francis Gigliotti ◽

Ana V. Ulloa ◽

Susana Prieto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Large Subunit ◽

Pneumocystis Carinii ◽

Dna Amplification ◽

Hospital Staff ◽

Immunocompromised Patients ◽

Staff Members ◽

Care Workers ◽

Patients At Risk

The transmission of Pneumocystis carinii from person to person was studied by detecting P. carinii-specific DNA in prospectively obtained noninvasive deep-nasal-swab samples from a child with a documented P. carinii pneumonia (PCP), his mother, two contact health care workers, and 30 hospital staff members who did not enter the patient's room (controls). Nested-DNA amplification was done by using oligonucleotide primers designed for the gene encoding the mitochondrial large subunit rRNA of rat P. carinii(P. carinii f. sp. carinii) that amplifies all forms of P. carinii and internal primers specific for humanP. carinii (f. sp. hominis). P. carinii f. sp. hominis DNA was detected in samples from the patient and all of his contacts versus none of the 30 hospital staff members. The results, as previously shown in murine models ofP. carinii pneumonia, document that person-to-person transmission of P. carinii is possible. This observation suggests that immunocompromised patients not on PCP prophylaxis should not enter the room of a patient with PCP, and it also raises the question as to whether healthy contacts can transmit the disease to immunocompromised patients at risk.

Download Full-text

Effectiveness of a Mobile-Based Influenza-Like Illness Surveillance System (FluMob) Among Health Care Workers: Longitudinal Study

JMIR mhealth and uhealth ◽

10.2196/19712 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. e19712

Author(s):

May Oo Lwin ◽

Jiahui Lu ◽

Anita Sheldenkar ◽

Chitra Panchapakesan ◽

Yi-Roe Tan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Surveillance System ◽

Disease Surveillance ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Hospital Staff ◽

Health Staff ◽

Surveillance Systems ◽

Influenza Like Illness ◽

Care Workers

Background Existing studies have suggested that internet-based participatory surveillance systems are a valid sentinel for influenza-like illness (ILI) surveillance. However, there is limited scientific knowledge on the effectiveness of mobile-based ILI surveillance systems. Previous studies also adopted a passive surveillance approach and have not fully investigated the effectiveness of the systems and their determinants. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the efficiency of a mobile-based surveillance system of ILI, termed FluMob, among health care workers using a targeted surveillance approach. Specifically, this study evaluated the effectiveness of the system for ILI surveillance pertaining to its participation engagement and surveillance power. In addition, we aimed to identify the factors that can moderate the effectiveness of the system. Methods The FluMob system was launched in two large hospitals in Singapore from April 2016 to March 2018. A total of 690 clinical and nonclinical hospital staff participated in the study for 18 months and were prompted via app notifications to submit a survey listing 18 acute respiratory symptoms (eg, fever, cough, sore throat) on a weekly basis. There was a period of study disruption due to maintenance of the system and the end of the participation incentive between May and July of 2017. Results On average, the individual submission rate was 41.4% (SD 24.3%), with a rate of 51.8% (SD 26.4%) before the study disruption and of 21.5% (SD 30.6%) after the disruption. Multivariable regression analysis showed that the adjusted individual submission rates were higher for participants who were older (<30 years, 31.4% vs 31-40 years, 40.2% [P<.001]; 41-50 years, 46.0% [P<.001]; >50 years, 39.9% [P=.01]), ethnic Chinese (Chinese, 44.4% vs non-Chinese, 34.7%; P<.001), and vaccinated against flu in the past year (vaccinated, 44.6% vs nonvaccinated, 34.4%; P<.001). In addition, the weekly ILI incidence was 1.07% on average. The Pearson correlation coefficient between ILI incidence estimated by FluMob and that reported by Singapore Ministry of Health was 0.04 (P=.75) with all data and was 0.38 (P=.006) including only data collected before the study disruption. Health care workers with higher risks of ILI and influenza such as women, non-Chinese, allied health staff, those who had children in their households, not vaccinated against influenza, and reported allergy demonstrated higher surveillance correlations. Conclusions Mobile-based ILI surveillance systems among health care workers can be effective. However, proper operation of the mobile system without major disruptions is vital for the engagement of participants and the persistence of surveillance power. Moreover, the effectiveness of the mobile surveillance system can be moderated by participants’ characteristics, which highlights the importance of targeted disease surveillance that can reduce the cost of recruitment and engagement.

Download Full-text

Impact of postnatal counseling on care of newborn

International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics ◽

10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20214532 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. 1939

Author(s):

Vantaku Venkata Vijayalakshmi ◽

K. Jhansi Padma ◽

M. Madan Mohan ◽

D. Manikyamba ◽

A. Krishna Prasad

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Postnatal Care ◽

Neonatal Morbidity ◽

Eye Care ◽

Cord Care ◽

Antenatal Counseling ◽

Care Workers ◽

Postnatal Mothers ◽

Care Practices

Background: Newborn care is an integral aspect of child health care practices. Globally 2.4 million children died in the neonatal period in 2019. Currently in India around 7.47 lakh neonates die annually. Advocating and adopting proper postnatal care of newborn in aspects of breastfeeding, immunization, warmth care, cord care, eye care etc will help in reducing neonatal morbidity and mortality.Methods: This was an hospital based cross sectional study of 100 postnatal mothers of babies admitted in NICU, in a tertiary care hospital. The knowledge of the mothers on various aspects of postnatal care was assessed by a pretest, followed by counseling and reassessment with a post test.Results: The study found that postnatal mothers had better awareness regarding breastfeeding, warmth care, cord care and oil massage. Poor knowledge was seen regarding eye care, immunization, recognition of danger signs and maternal nutrition and supplementation. Health care workers focused more on breastfeeding and warmth care practices than other aspects of postnatal care during antenatal counseling which could be a reason for this. A wide gap exists between contact with health workers and antenatal counseling. Knowledge gaps of the mothers improved significantly after counseling irrespective of their parity, education and location as seen by the increase in mean scores.Conclusions: Neonatal morbidity and mortality due to avoidable causes like hypoglycemia, hypothermia, sepsis can be achieved by practicing appropriate post-natal care practices. WHO recommendations on these practices should be widely propagated through frequent antenatal and post-natal counseling by health care workers.

Download Full-text

Importance of mitigation measures for hospital transmission of SARS-CoV-2 at the onset of the epidemic: the experience of Brescia, Northern Italy

Infection ◽

10.1007/s15010-021-01692-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Valentina Marchese ◽

Beatrice Formenti ◽

Gloria Cola ◽

Natalia Gregori ◽

Elisa Albini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Great Majority ◽

Hospital Staff ◽

Northern Italy ◽

Mitigation Measures ◽

Professional Status ◽

Hospital Personnel ◽

Italian Case ◽

Care Workers

Abstract Purpose Since the first Italian case of SARS-CoV-2 was detected in Lombardy (Northern Italy) Italy quickly became one of the worst-affected European countries, with a severe impact on health-care workers (HCWs). In the first epidemic, HCWs accounted for 12% of all national COVID-19 cases. We evaluated the burden of COVID-19 among HCWs and other non-health-care workers (nHCWs) in a large Italian hospital. Methods From March 1st to May 31st 2020, we performed a retrospective study at ASST Civil Hospital, in the Province of Brescia, Lombardy. The study population included all hospital personnel (n = 9265), categorized by professional status. Results A SARS-CoV-2 test was performed in 3572 workers (38.5%), with a positive result in 552 (5.9% of all hospital personnel). The temporal trend of SARS-CoV-2 cases in hospital staff broadly reflected that in the community, with a great majority of infections occurred during March 2020 (87.7%). From April onward, a steep decrease of positive cases was observed among hospital personnel, while in the community the decrease was much slower. Medical doctors (8.9%) and nurses (8.5%) were the most affected professional categories with a significantly higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 1.436 and OR 1.410, respectively p < 0.0001). HCWs in COVID-19 units presented a significantly higher risk of infection compared to HCWs in non-COVID units (p < 0.001). Conclusion HCWs were severely affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, probably associated with an overwhelming burden of work and lack of preparedness in prevention of nosocomial transmission of the infection. The rapid decrease of COVID-19 spread in the hospital, registered before the one in the community, suggests that the adopted preventive measures were effective.

Download Full-text

The Knowledge and Perception of Hand Hygiene Among Health Care Workers in Clinical Settings in Khartoum State - Sudan

Journal of Medical Informatics and Decision Making ◽

10.14302/issn.2641-5526.jmid-20-3248 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 15-28

Author(s):

Ragda M. BaderAldeen ◽

Salah I. Kheder

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Hand Hygiene ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Hospital Staff ◽

Good Knowledge ◽

P Value ◽

Clinical Settings ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Care Workers

Objective This study conducted to assess health care practitioners’ knowledge and perceptions of hand hygiene among health professional working in clinical settings in Khartoum State - Sudan. with the specific objective of determining the association between their stance on hand hygiene and the general demographic characteristics of these health-care professionals. Methodology This is a cross-sectional study conducted between July and November 2017 using a modified form of WHO questionnaire for knowledge and perception that was included 22 items was sent online to health care workers via social media. The data obtained entered and analyzed by SPSS version 24. Chi-square and test of independence were used as a test of significance. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant for all purposes. Result 437 hospital staff were responded to the questionnaire. (99.3%) was found to have good knowledge. 197(45.2%) had good perception and 239(54.8%) had fair perception. Formal hand hygiene training was found to have no association with knowledge levels of hand hygiene, but the fair perception was higher in the respondents who didn’t receive formal training. Conclusion The present study highlights the hand hygiene knowledge and perception. Most health care workers were found to have good knowledge, and the majority was found to have a fair perception. Formal hand hygiene training courses were found to have no association with knowledge but it may be reflected in practice. The importance of training sessions regarding hand hygiene was noticed in the perception level.

Download Full-text

Improving eye care in the primary health care setting

Curationis ◽

10.4102/curationis.v23i1.589 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

M De Wet ◽

L Ackermann

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Primary Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Service Providers ◽

Care Service ◽

Eye Care ◽

Primary Health Care Worker ◽

Primary Health ◽

Care Workers ◽

Service Training

One of the challenges facing primary health care in South Africa is the delivery of quality eye care to all South Africans. In this regard the role of the primary health care worker, as the first point of contact, is crucial. This paper reports on the problems primary health care workers experience in providing quality eye care in Region B of the Free State. Problems identified by those involved in the study include the cumbersome referral system, the unavailability of appropriate medicine at clinics, the insufficient knowledge of primary health care workers regarding eye conditions and the lack of communication between the various eye care service providers. Suggestions to address the problems identified included more in-service training of primary health care workers regarding eye conditions, liaison with NGO’s providing eye care, decentralisation of services and the establishment of an eye care committee in the region.

Download Full-text